The LAKER
ee r F
EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
DECEMBER 7, 2016
Pasco plans animal abuser registry By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County commissioners are poised to approve a county registry that will make it harder for people to adopt or buy animals if they have been convicted of animal abuse. County staff members introduced the proposed ordinance for an animal abuser registry on Nov. 29 at the commissioners’ meeting in Dade City.
Commissioners didn’t vote on the matter, but are expected to approve the registry at a public hearing on Jan. 10 at 1:30 p.m., also in Dade City. “This provides an additional way we can protect and keep animals out of the hands of people convicted of certain animal violations,” said Kristi Sims, an assistant county attorney. If approved, the ordinance would take effect March 1. Anyone, over age 18, who is
convicted of animal abuse after that date would be required to register, in person, with the county every year, for a period ranging from three to 10 years. The length of time would be based on the type and severity of the crime. Abusers who change addresses also are required to update their information, under the proposed ordinance. See ANIMAL, page 13A
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FRED BELLET/PHOTOS
Adrienne Welsch peers into the center shelf of the large kiln where the work of her father, Harry Welsch, cools after being fired the evening before.
If you enjoy pottery, this tour is for you By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
People who are drawn to pottery are naturally attracted to the Tampa Tour De Clay, said Kim Wellman, of Wellman & Welsch Pottery in Lutz. This tour offers so much more than the chance to add some unique pottery pieces to your collection, said Wellman, whose studio is one of four stops on the tour. It also provides a closer look at what goes into the creation of ceramic art. Tour-goers can talk to nationally known ceramic artists, can see demonstrations, and can get a better idea of the techniques and
processes used. Taking the tour tends to deepen participants’ appreciation of pottery, said Wellman, who has been creating ceramic pieces since the mid-1970s. “There’s all this stuff going on behind the scenes that you didn’t know was going on. When they realize how much is involved, then you begin to appreciate it more,” she said. This year’s Tampa Tour De Clay features 24 nationally acclaimed ceramic artists. Other highlights include pottery demonstrations, kiln openings, charity chance drawings, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase handmade works.
Beautiful ceramic works fashioned by Harry Welsch and Kim Wellman have their start in a block of clay.
“This tour is modeled after several artists’ tours around the country,” said Harry Welsch, who is Wellman’s husband. “The four stops are what’s convenient for people to get to in one day,” Welsch said.“If they follow the schedule and spend a couple of hours at each, it just seems to be a good number.” Wellman added: “We each have a few See POTTERY, page 13A
Fantasy comes alive at Zephyrhills art shop By Kevin Weiss
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Sarah Hamilton has always been intrigued by the fantasy subculture. From Harry Potter novels to Jim Hensondirected films (i.e. The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth), Hamilton acknowledges she’s “obsessed” with fairytales and magical creatures. “I love dragons,” she said.“Really, creatures have been my inspiration.” The Harry Potter series has been, too. “I definitely am a huge fan. I’ve read all the books, watched all the movies.” In October, the Lutz resident opened the wizard-themed Mad Dragon Studio, 5226 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills. The shop, located in the heart of the city’s downtown, offers handcrafted wizardry wands along with feather quills, and cosplay props and costumes. Other vintage products like homemade bath bombs, wizard uniform aprons and nonalcoholic butterscotch beer are also featured throughout the mythical studio. “It’s kind of the place to come if you want something different,” Hamilton explained.“I always want you to walk-in and feel like it’s magical in here.” A former first-grade teacher, Hamilton said she’s had artistic leanings since she was a youth. “I’ve been making creatures since I was a little girl,” Hamilton said,“but, I had no idea I’d be doing this.” In fact, her business started by happenstance. About five years ago, Hamilton wanted to purchase small wands as party favors for her son’s wizard-themed birthday. But, when she discovered the price tag of a single wand
KEVIN WEISS/STAFF PHOTO
Sarah Hamilton is the owner of the Mad Dragon Studio, 5226 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills.
was a minimum of $35, she opted to just make them herself. “I just started messing around. I started sculpting with polymer clay, and I moved up to (larger) wands,” she explained. Hamilton later sold handcrafted wands on Etsy, an online marketplace offering handmade and vintage goods. “It just kind of kept evolving,” Hamilton said,“and then I thought it’d be fun to have
my own actual brick-and-mortar (store).” The wands, which also feature a wooden core, typically take Hamilton “a few hours to make.” She, too, offers customized wands — one of which was recently used in a wedding proposal.As the story goes, Hamilton molded an engagement ring into a wand handle that See SHOP, page 13A